Podcast Summary: Zelenskyy Checkmates Trump as Ambush Uncovered

The MeidasTouch Podcast
Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers break down a high-stakes diplomatic standoff involving President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump’s team, and Russian operatives. The brothers shed light on discovered secret negotiations intended to force Ukraine’s surrender to Russia, culminating in a dramatic diplomatic checkmate by Zelenskyy. Employing their signature mix of legal acumen, media savvy, and sharp wit, the hosts connect the granular details of the Istanbul meeting, expose backroom Trump-Russia dealings, and discuss the implications for global democracy and American foreign policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russian Missile Strike and Escalating Violence

• The episode opens with a grim report of a Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian residential block in Ternopil, killing 25, including three children.
• The hosts draw a direct line between the increasing violence and what they describe as the Trump regime’s “complicity.”

2. Uncovering Secret Trump-Russia Negotiations

• Key Figures:
  • Donald Trump: Alleged architect behind attempts to broker a forced Ukrainian surrender to Russia.
  • Steve Witkoff: Trump’s real estate associate, acting as a makeshift special envoy, with no foreign policy experience.
  • Kirill Dmitriev: Russian sovereign wealth fund head, direct contact with Trump’s team, and Putin’s operative.
• The Plan: Staged to be unveiled at a meeting in Istanbul, the "capitulation plan" sought:
  • Ukrainian surrender of land in Donbas and Crimea.
  • Limitations on Ukrainian armed forces and weaponry.
  • International recognition of Russian territorial claims.
  • The imposition of a de facto Russian veto over Ukrainian security.
• How It Unraveled:
  Zelenskyy, tipped off to the plan, arrives at the meeting with his European allies and a prepared counterproposal, outmaneuvering the Trump team, who then cancel their participation.

Ben (Host), [02:11]:
“Zelensky shows up ready to present this plan. Witkoff is like, oh, crap, I was going to force this surrender upon you, but you’re showing up with the European crew... so Witkoff and Trump say US is not showing up in Istanbul.”

3. Zelenskyy’s Diplomacy and European Solidarity

• Ukraine’s proactive peace plan is developed with France, Spain, Germany, Canada, and Australia.
• Zelenskyy insists on multilateral talks, refusing to meet under the limited, US/Trump-dominated format.
• Erdogan (Turkey) and Zelenskyy proceed with their own substantive discussion.

Notable Quote:

Zelenskyy (Clip), [08:14]:
“First and foremost, we will have a detailed conversation with [Erdogan] about all possible ways and approaches to ensure that Ukraine is able to achieve a just and lasting peace, carefully considering every option to support a fair resolution… we have some positions and signals from the United States. Well, we’ll see tomorrow.”

4. The Resignation of Keith Kellogg

• Retired Lt. General and Trump’s special envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, announces plans to resign.
• The hosts present Kellogg as the last, thin connection to pro-Ukraine policy within Trump’s network.
• Kellogg’s track record of conflicting messaging on Ukraine’s prospects for peace is highlighted:
  • January 2025: Claims peace in 100 days ([14:15])
  • February 2025: Revises to "months" ([15:02])
  • March 2025: “Peace in 24 hours”—with no specified timeline ([16:13])
  • May 2025: Discusses sanctions ([16:50])
  • September 2025: Admits Ukraine is winning ([17:52])

Notable Quote:

Kellogg (January 2025), [14:15]:
“I would say let’s set it at 100 days and move our way back and figure a way we can do this in the near term to make sure that this solution is solid, it’s sustainable, and that this war ends… that’s going to be very important to do. It’s going to be important for our national security.”

5. Kirill Dmitriev’s US Visit and Russian Propaganda

• Footage is discussed of Dmitriev meeting with MAGA Republican Anna Paulina Luna in October 2025, gifting a pro-Putin book and meeting with Trump allies for the apparent purpose of plotting a Ukrainian surrender plan.
• Dmitriev, in his own words, blames Ukraine and the West for the lack of peace and doubles down on Russia’s uncompromising stance.

Notable Quotes:

Dmitriev, [13:00]:
“Sadly, it is Ukraine that is undermining the necessary dialogue… it is doing so at the request of British and European actors who want the conflict to continue.”

“We will continue our dialogue with the United States... Russia's national interests must be respected, that sanctions and unfriendly measures will have no impact on the Russian economy. It will only lead to growing prices at United States gas stations…”

6. Analysis of America’s Waning Military Clout and Shifting Alliances

• The hosts note that American military exports are in decline, with countries such as Sweden and Canada preferring alternatives due to America's perceived ties to Russia.
• A new 10-year French-Ukrainian defense pact is highlighted.

7. Meticulous Reporting and a Warning

• Ben Meiselas claims that the MeidasTouch Network predicted Kellogg’s removal and continues to report on these developments before mainstream outlets.
• Raises the question of whether the US (under Trump) is purposely withholding intelligence to pressure Ukraine, leading to civilian casualties.

Notable Quote:

Ben (Host), [06:47]:
“One of the questions I have is, did the United States not share certain intelligence?… We know that’s a pressure technique that Donald Trump uses, allowing innocent Ukrainians to die.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Ben (on Zelenskyy's diplomatic jujitsu), [02:54]:
  “Zelensky outmaneuvered Trump in Turkey, but now we still see Russia killing the innocent Ukrainians. A lot there to unpack.”

• On Kirill Dmitriev’s presence in the US, [11:35]:
  “Here is Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, when he arrived in the US in late October… And now we know what they were doing. Specifically, they were plotting the Ukrainian surrender together, which Zelensky found out was happening.”

• On Keith Kellogg’s legacy, [18:46]:
  “He’s a serious dude who’s now just tarnished everything for the Trump regime. So he’s gone.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 — Russian missile strike report and introduction of the Trump-Russia backchannel plot.
• 02:11 — Istanbul meeting analysis: Trump’s envoy attempts to broker Ukrainian surrender.
• 06:47 — Disclosure of US plans, intelligence withholding, and chilling questions about civilian casualties.
• 08:14 — Zelenskyy’s own words on the peace talks with Erdogan.
• 11:35 — Kirill Dmitriev’s October visit to the US and evidence of MAGA-Russian coordination.
• 13:00 — Dmitriev blames the West for ongoing conflict, lays out Russia’s position.
• 14:15–18:46 — Timeline of Keith Kellogg’s shifting statements on Ukraine, ending with his resignation and analysis of his record.
• 18:46 — Assessment of Kellogg’s otherwise laudable career now “tarnished” by association with Trump’s Russia policy.

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the MeidasTouch brothers’ signature: rapid-fire delivery, clear attribution, and a mix of urgency, righteous indignation, and humor. Their “unapologetic support for democracy” is front and center, as is their focus on detailed chronological storytelling delivered with punchy commentary.

Final Takeaways

• The Trump team’s attempt at a secret Ukrainian surrender scheme was revealed and effectively neutralized by President Zelenskyy’s coordination with European allies.
• Trump’s allies, especially Kellogg, are either resigning or sidelined, leaving a policy vacuum.
• Russian operatives are brazenly operating in the US, lobbying MAGA Republicans to adopt Russian positions.
• European alliances are strengthening as American credibility deteriorates—posing serious consequences for US influence.
• MeidasTouch Podcast remains at the forefront of breaking and contextualizing these complex, high-stakes geopolitical stories.

Slava Ukraine — The fight for democracy continues, and the MeidasMighty remain vigilant.